TAX STAMPS

Tax Stamps

The global trade in counterfeit and smuggled goods is an industry worth many billions of US dollars per annum. Funds gained from this illicit trade are known to support serious organised crime and terrorist organisations. The effects on industries, and the business-es that operate within them, can be devastating and cause huge losses in tax revenue to governments. Alcohol, cigarettes and pharmaceuticals are just three of the many products that are often counterfeited or smuggled across borders without the required tax being paid.

The sale of tax stamps will involve detailed discussions with Central Banks, Ministries of Finance, Revenue Authorities and major manufacturers to ensure that these are introduced as part of a comprehensive revenue protection programme. Audax’s partner, with whom we work in specific territories, has developed a range of leading tax stamp security and authentication systems which enable governments to protect their revenues and ensure that products entering their geographic boundaries are genuine. The use of multiple technology platforms offers:

• Overt optical technologies, such as high security print and ad-vanced holography;

High security tax stamps combine overt and covert security features to enable consumers and customs officials alike to confirm that products are authentic. Combined with security print, serial numbers and/or bar codes, these tax stamps provide the most effective protection available against counterfeiting.

Specialised products, such as windscreen stickers with embedded RFID chips, may form part of wider vehicle registration and licensing programmes